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Lest We Forget: Tribute to Our Fallen Diggers

Fathers, sons and brothers, together they fought and died,That we may live in peace together, while at home their mothers cried. When that final bugle calls them to cross that great divide, Those comrades will be waiting when they reach the other side.

- Ken Bunker "A Tribute to ANZAC Day"

You can leave your tributes below.

WE REMEMBER:

Corporal Cameron Stewart Baird, MG - Killed 22nd June, 2013

Corporal Cameron Stewart Baird, MG was deployed with the Special Operations Task Group in Afghanistan when he was killed in action by small arms fire during an engagement with insurgents. Corporal Baird was a member of the Sydney-based 2nd Commando Regiment and was on his fifth tour to Afghanistan. He had previously deployed to Iraq and East Timor. In 2009 then Lance Corporal Baird was awarded the Medal for Gallantry, for gallantry in action during close quarters combat in Afghanistan on Operation SLIPPER in November 2007.

Corporal Scott James Smith - Killed on 21st October, 2012 - Aged 24

Corporal Smith was a member of the Special Operations Task Group, based at Holsworthy Barracks in Sydney.

In a statement from the Australian Defence Force, Corporal Smith was described as an exceptional soldier who possessed all the qualities and charisma of a great junior leader.

Corporal Smith was on his third tour of Afghanistan, and had also toured the Soloman Islands in 2006.

2nd Commando Regiment, was killed when an ISAF helicopter crashed in Helmand province.

Lance Corporal McDonald was born in Carnarvon, Western Australia in 1982. He joined the Army on 31 May 1999 and was on his sixth tour to Afghanistan.

Private Nathanael Galagher - Killed on 30th August, 2012 - Aged 23

2nd Commando Regiment, was killed when an ISAF helicopter crashed in Helmand province.

Private Galagher was born in Wee Waa, New South Wales in 1989. He joined the Army on 22 October 2007 and was on his second tour of Afghanistan.

Sergeant Blaine Flower Diddams - killed on 2nd July, 2012 - aged 40

Special Air Service Regiment, was killed during a small arms engagement with insurgents in July.

Remembered as a "soldier's soldier", Sgt Diddams joined the army in 1990 and was on his seventh tour of Afghanistan when he was fatally shot in the chest.

Captain Bryce Duffy - killed on 29th October, 2011 - aged 26

Captain Bryce Duffy was Shot by a "rogue" Afghan national who opened fire on Australian troops at their base at Tarin Kowt.

Captain Duffy was a well known and highly-regarded young officer. He was recognised by his commanders for his strength of character, determination and diligence.

Lance Corporal Luke Gavin - killed on 29th October, 2011 - Aged 27

Lance Corporal Gavin was Shot by a "rogue" Afghan national who opened fire on Australian troops at their base at Tarin Kowt.

Lance Corporal Gavin was a highly-respected member of the 2nd Battalion. He was acknowledged by his superiors for his positive attitude and loyalty.

Corporal Ashley Birt - killed on 29th October, 2011 - aged 22

Corporal Birt was Shot by a "rogue" Afghan national who opened fire on Australian troops at their base at Tarin Kowt.

He was a great mate to his many colleagues and well liked by all.

Private Matthew Lambert - killed on 22nd August, 2011 - aged 26

Private Lambert is survived by his spouse and parents.

He was killed when a land mine exploded in Tarin Kwot.

Sergeant Todd Langley - killed on 4th July, 2011 - aged 35

The 35-year-old sustained a gunshot wound to the head and died on the battlefield from his wounds.

The devoted family man was on his fifth tour of Afghanistan and had previously completed two tours in East Timor.

Sapper Rowan Robinson - killed in action 6th June, 2011 - aged 23

The 23-year-old, from the Incident Response Regiment, was killed during an operation which uncovered a "massive cache" of weapons, including 70 anti-personnel mines, in Helmand province yesterday.

He was shot by insurgents and evacuated by helicopter but succumbed to his injuries.

Lieutenant Marcus Sean Case - killed 31st May, 2011- aged 27

Lt Case's dream was to serve on the front line in Afghanistan.

He was killed in a helicopter crash which also injured five other Australian soldiers.

"Marcus was born to fly and spent a lifetime dedicated and focused on achieving his goal of being an army combat aviator," his family said. "Marcus was also the sparkle to his No.1 fans, his Mum and Dad."

Lance Corporal Andrew Gordon Jones - killed 31st May, 2011 - aged 25

Lance Corporal Andrew Gordon Jones, 25, from Queensland, was one of two Australian soldiers to lose their lives in separate incidents in Afghanistan on the same day.

It is believed Lance Corporal Jones was shot while on guard duty with the ANA soldier at a patrol base north of Tarin Kowt, the capital of Oruzgan Province.

Sapper Larcombe was born in Kingscote, South Australia, 1989. Jamie joined the Army in 2008 and successfully completed his recruit and combat engineer basic training in 2008 prior to being posted to the 1st Combat Engineer Regiment based in Darwin.

Described by his army mates as dependable and genuine, whose country upbringing instilled a wisdom that was respected.

Corporal Atkinson was born in Hobart in 1988. He joined the Army in 2007 and in the same year successfully completed his recruit and combat engineer basic training prior to being posted to the 1st Combat Engineer Regiment based in Darwin.

He was promoted to Lance Corporal in 2009 and displayed strong leadership in bringing his section together during their preparation for operations in Afghanistan. His dedication to his section was rewarded with his promotion to Corporal just prior to their deployment.

Twenty-eight-year-old Lance Corporal MacKinney was from the Brisbane-based 6th Battalion, The Royal Australian Regiment.

Lance Corporal MacKinney leaves behind a loving family, his wife who is expecting their second child, and beloved daughter, Annabell. His family is currently receiving support from Defence.

Lance Corporal MacKinney was killed in action during an intense fire-fight with Taliban insurgents on the morning of 24 August (Afghanistan time).

Private Grant Kirby - killed in action on 20th August, 2010 - aged 35

Private Kirby was born in Nambour, Queensland in 1975. He joined the Army in 2006 and in the same year successfully completed his recruit and infantry basic training prior to being posted to the 6th Battalion, The Royal Australian Regiment.

This was Private Kirby’s first deployment to Afghanistan, although he had deployed previously to East Timor and Iraq.

Private Tomas Dale - Killed in action on 20th August, 2010 - aged 21

Twenty-one-year-old Private Dale was from the Brisbane-based 6th Battalion, The Royal Australian Regiment.

Private Dale was born in Lancashire, the United Kingdom in 1989. He immigrated to Australia with his family in 2003 and lived in Adelaide, South Australia. He joined the Army in 2007 and in the same year successfully completed his recruit and infantry basic training prior to being posted to the 6th Battalion, The Royal Australian Regiment. This was Private Dale’s first operational deployment.

Trooper Jason Brown - Killed in action on 13th August, 2010 - age 29.

Twenty-nine-year-old Trooper Brown was from the Perth-based Special Air Service Regiment.

Trooper Brown was born in Sydney, NSW in 1981. He joined the Army on 13 June, 2000 and following Recruit and Initial Employment Training, Trooper Brown was posted to the 1st Battalion Royal Australian Regiment.

This was his first tour to Afghanistan, although he had deployed previously on three occasions to East Timor.

Private Nathan Bewes - killed in action on 9th July, 2010 - aged 23

Twenty-three-year-old Private Nathan Bewes was from the Brisbane-based 6th Battalion, The Royal Australian Regiment.

Private Bewes was born in Kogarah, New South Wales in 1986. He joined the Army in 2005 and in the same year successfully completed his recruit and infantry basic training prior to being posted to the 6th Battalion, The Royal Australian Regiment. This was his second deployment to the Middle East.

Twenty-seven-year-old Private Chuck was from the Sydney-based 2nd Commando Regiment.

Private Chuck was born in Atherton, Queensland in 1983. He joined the Army on 11 May, 2004 as part of the Special Forces Direct Recruiting Scheme. Private Chuck was the Patrol Medic within his sniper team. He was suited to this role as his affectionate and caring nature drove his passion for helping his mates.

Twenty-seven-year-old Pte Palmer was from the Sydney-based 2nd Commando Regiment.

Private Palmer enlisted in the Australian Army in 2001. his was his third tour to Afghanistan and was serving with the Special Operations Task Group (SOTG). His professionalism was of the highest order and he excelled at everything he did. Private Palmer loved his job and working alongside his mates.

As part of his tour he has been awarded the Australian Active Service Medal with Clasp International Campaign against Terrorism (ICAT), NATO Medal and the Afghanistan Campaign Medal. Along with the awarding of his AASM.

1st Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment. 11th Australian soldier to be killed in Afghanistan. He was a member of the Mentoring and Reconstruction Task Force.

He was tragically killed by a bomb when preparing to search a compound north of Tarin Kowt.

Sergeant Brett Till - killed in action on 19th March, 2009 - aged 31

Sergeant Till enlisted in the Australian Army in 2001 and was allocated to the Corps of Royal Australian Engineers following recruit training. Sergeant Till trained as a Combat Engineer and served with a number of units, including the 1st Combat Engineer Regiment and the School of Military Engineering.

Brett was awarded the Australian Active Service Medal with ICAT clasp, Afghanistan Campaign Medal, Australian Defence Medal and NATO ISAF Medal.